Archive for December, 2015

I don’t know about you, but a big part of celebrating Christmas is giving gifts. We’re bombarded, aren’t we, with messages encouraging us to buy, buy, buy. So how exactly does giving gifts connect to Christmas? Well, in two key ways… One is because Christmas, at its core, is about gift giving. God, giving His son, Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” And Magi, in response, bringing gifts to the Christ child as an act of worship and gratitude. God gave and the Magi responded by giving.

Too often, however, we seem to get this gift giving mixed up don’t we? The focus becomes more about us giving and receiving gifts with one another, and God somehow takes a back seat. So this Christmas, may we follow the lead of the Magi and give generously in response to God’s greatest gift—Jesus Christ!

Here are a few coupons I’m giving you that you can redeem in 2016…

Peace on Earth…Good will to all! Redeem for one month of peace on earth.

Fear Not! Redeem for a day with freedom from all fears.

Keeping the Sabbath Holy Redeem for a day of rest.

Do Not Hinder the Little Children Redeem for a bunch of hugs from children who need some love.

Do unto Others as You Would Have Them Do unto You Redeem for an act of kindness to a person of your choice–even someone you may not particularly like.

How do you describe the process of growing in Christ? Discipleship? Today fewer are using this term according to a recent study by the Barna Research Group. What are people using instead?

“becoming more Christ-like” 43%

“spiritual growth” 31%

“spiritual journey” 28%

Fewer than one in five Christians preferred the term “discipleship.” Interestingly enough, those who are more active Christians prefer “becoming more Christ-like,” while less active Christians prefer “spiritual journey.” Only one in four who were polled find the word “discipleship” still relevant. It isn’t that what it represents isn’t important to them, it’s just the terminology isn’t meaningful.

So, why is any of this important? Well, we United Methodists frequently refer to Jesus’ Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). Why? Because it is at the core of the UMC’s mission statement: “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Our denomination even has an agency that’s officially called the General Board of Discipleship, also known as Discipleship Resources.

Furthermore, the Indiana Conference’s Fruitful Congregation Journey, which has involved over 260 UM churches, challenges churches to clarify their “discipleship” pathways, that is the system they use to help people take their next step on their faith journeys. The Barna study suggests that many in our churches prefer using different language. What about yours?

My contention is that no matter what language your church may use, the important thing is that it is talking about disciple making, that it’s intentionally focused on helping its members live out the Great Commission. So how are you and your church doing?

Waynedale United Methodist Church held its Trunk or Treat this fall and attracted 200 people from the community. Not only did the church give away candy, but it also offered people the opportunity to submit prayer requests. Twenty individuals took advantage of this opportunity and two asked for a follow-up contact from the pastor. All were persons from outside the Waynedale Church.

Why did the church decide to incorporate prayer into this annual fall event? According to its pastor, Rev. Ted Jansen, it was the result of asking the simple question, “Why are we doing this?” Or in this case, “Why are we doing the Trunk or Treat?” Asking such a question leads to important reflection. It can help a church more intentionally “connect the dots” between an activity and the church’s ultimate purpose of making disciples of Christ and changing lives.

This Advent Season how are you making sure all your church’s activities relate to the church’s mission? And what are the “bridge” events that you are offering that can help you develop deeper relationships with those God is calling you to reach? Some churches follow up their Trunk or Treat with a Thanksgiving community meal, or Christmas with Santa, or a special one-day Vacation Bible School during Christmas break. Offering such bridge events, provides a church the means to develop deeper relationships with those reached, relationships that ultimately can lead to a deepening relationship with with Jesus Christ.

Incorporate the church’s children in one of the worship experiences. It will likely draw a larger crowd and guests.

Share during December worship services video “advertisements” for the Christmas Eve services and the new January sermon series, giving attenders a reason to come back.

Get commitments from those who will volunteer for the Christmas Eve services.

Make sure you have a good follow up plan for your guests.

Christmas provides a great opportunity to have a special offering, such as a mission project, that the community will appreciate and participate in. Make sure to invite the community to participate.

Consider also having part of the Christmas Eve offering fund a project supporting the church’s ministry, such as new toys for the church’s nursery or to kick off a capital fund campaign.

Plan a minimum of effort for the Sunday following Christmas. Try to give as many of your volunteers a rest as possible. Maybe encourage children to worship that day with their parents, and only provide child care for children under five years old.